Girl Guides join ‘No More Page 3’ Facebook campaign
The Girl Guides have become the latest group to support a campaign seeking to abolish the practice of picturing topless women on the third page of certain tabloid.
Girlguiding UK took the step in a bid to prompt newspaper proprietor Rupert Murdoch into rescinding his support for the practice following reports that he had earlier wavered as chief executive of News Corporation.
The charity boasts more than half a million members but the decision was taken by a group of 16 girls between the ages of 14 and 26 who decide policy.
In an open letter to The Sun the organisation wrote: “We know that The Sun is a family newspaper. Anyone can pick it up, turn to page 3, and think that it is normal for young women to be treated as objects. We feel this is just wrong and has to stop.
“As a young woman in UK society, it is impossible to nurture your ambitions if you are constantly told that you are not the same as your male equivalent. This is what Page 3 does. It is disrespectful and embarrassing.
“We would like The Sun, as a leading UK newspaper, to promote positive role models to inspire girls and young women and help everyone to understand that women are never for sale.
“We hope that the voice of Girlguiding members, combined with the rest of the signatories on the No More Page 3 petition, will convince you to finally take bare boobs out of The Sun.”